The CPSU, the union representing ABC staff, welcomes today’s announcement that a motion will be moved in the Senate calling for an inquiry into the role of the ABC in Regional Australia.

The announcement by the ABC on Tuesday that the ABC is closing down TV Production in Tasmania has met with a fierce backlash nationwide and raised concerns about the role of the ABC in reflecting the regional diversity of Australia.

Paul Blake, Regional Director of the CPSU in Tasmania, said “We welcome this announcement and call on the ABC to halt all action on closing the Tasmania ABC Production Unit until the recommendations of this inquiry are known”.

“The loss of ABC Production in Tasmania would be devastating to the local production industry, both within the ABC and within the private production companies who depend on ABC support”.